The Forscherkindergarten Apfelbäumchen engages its young students with the nature around it, providing an inspiring learning environment in the midst of an urban area like Berlin.

Located in the Bohnsdorf-Grünau neighborhood of Berlin, an Evangelistic Church community, the school occupies a corner plot of land thick with trees. Almost a miniature forest, the plot was played up by the architects who wanted to highlight the importance of the trees. At either end of the school, Winkens built large open-air terraces with timber planks, which are covered by the extending roof. They are open on three sides, allowing the trees to be viewed from all angles. On one end, the terrace roof has a large square hole cut out, with a tree planted below. As the years pass, the children and staff can watch the tree grow, and eventually it will burst through the cut out and over the school!

The school’s entrance is in the middle of the building, and leads to a large foyer and multipurpose room. Along the perimeter of the building, each classroom is lined with large windows, which fill the classrooms with light. Winkens also designed large window seats in each apartment-style classroom, so that the children may gaze out onto the canopy of trees surrounding the school.

Employing more green features, the school’s roof is planted richly with greenery. This not only blends the building in with the landscape around it, but also insulates and controls solar gain. The school is also heated with natural gas.

The Forscherkindergarten Apfelbäumchen engages its young students with the nature around it, providing an inspiring learning environment in the midst of an urban area like Berlin.

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greenharmonySeptember 3, 2011 at 2:52 pm

I like this design for its green features. I like how the design of this Kindergarten school places an equal emphasis on the building and the outdoor environment. One can see how there are ample views and large windows to bring the outdoors and adequate natural light inside the building. This will increase the children’s l earning capacity and reduce the need for indoor lighting.